Hello, my name is Jason. Let's chat!

Send @coffeeshopchat a message...


I stared at the empty box for a few moments. I wasn't sure what to say, really. Here was a man – a few years older than me – a few years wiser too. A man who, in his own way, is doing exactly what I am doing with tea, only he uses coffee. Jason Simon is the brain behind Caffeinated Conversations – a blog, if you will, that shares the stories of a man in Seattle who wants desperately to believe that the art of conversation still exists. A man who has studied mediation and conflict resolution. A man who not only believes in the power of conversation, but also, the power that a coffee shop has to facilitate it. A man so dedicated to his quest that he wears a shirt bearing his name on the front, and on the back... lies a simple suggestion.

'Tap me on the shoulder if you want to chat.'


Funny that - as I stared at the screen, unsure of just what I should say to this man – he would get to me first.


We both knew from the start that this wouldn't be a conversation we'd be able to have in 140 characters or less.


As circumstance would have it, an impromptu trip home to Vancouver made the thought of a cup of tea (or coffee!) with Jason Simon a much more achievable reality. After having an ocean between us – the 200km drive didn't seem all that far...



I admitted something to Jason that day – something that I don't tell very many people - but something that, for whatever reason, I felt compelled to let him know. I don't keep it a secret on purpose – it's just something that can be a little strange to say out loud – strange to admit to others. Especially those whom you are close with.

I feel that I am here on this earth to achieve big things. Great things... 

When I reflect on my life, I can't help but feel as if I've existed just slightly outside the guidelines of what society would consider 'normal'. I don't mean this in a bad way, mind you – I've just always been a little bit different. You'd have to ask my Mom for more clarification about my younger years - and she may very well provide that clarification in a comment below - but I am not sure there was ever a time when I was content with following the crowd. I don't mean this in a pompous way at all, I've just always wanted to achieve something more than the crowd would allow. My grades were always good – my options after high school were plentiful – and as much as I'd sometimes like to just settle down and get on with school, and with life - I just can't. I chase my dreams – I chase them until they are within reach – and if my dreams should ever change – I just get on chasing the next ones. At 26 years old now – I don't really have a lot to show for myself in the eyes of the crowd. No mortgage. No car. No money. No education. No career. No stability...

But, sitting there with Jason – confessing those thoughts to him – I realized that all of this doesn't really bother me too much. I am content letting the crowd live life as they see fit. I applaud them as they pass. I wish them well – and hope from the bottom of my heart that they all find success and happiness. But more than that, I accept the fact that I am a bit different. Accept the fact that I may never be 'normal', and I commit myself to continuing the chase for something more. Something different. Something greater...

Jason looked at me with a strange smile on his face. He didn't have to say anything... I already knew the words that sat, perched on the tip of his tongue.

He wants to achieve something greater too...


[ Oh yeah! Jason made me a shirt! Now you can tap me on the shoulder if you'd like to chat!]

1 comment:

  1. Jason..cm'on ...I wanna share a coffee with you..an Indian coffee..would you like it*****?

    ReplyDelete